Finding your way back to better mental health
For teenage and young adult patients and their families experiencing early and first episode psychosis, it’s critical to connect with a treatment provider and receive the support needed as soon as you realize there is a problem. The OnTrack Program at ECMC’s Regional Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health can help with services and support needed during these times, and bring hope and resiliency to patients and families experiencing these episodes.
About Early & First Episode Psychosis
Early psychosis (also called first episode psychosis or FEP) can be frightening, confusing and distressing for the person experiencing it and difficult for family and friends to understand. In the United States, about 100,000 young people will experience psychosis each year, and three in 100 will have an episode in their lifetime.
Connecting with the right resources for treatment during this kind of episode can be life-changing and radically alter your future for the better. The most important thing is not to delay getting help-even if you’re unsure of if you’re experiencing early warning signs of psychosis or typical teen/young adult behaviors. Treatment during a first episode of psychosis is a patient’s best hope for slowing, stopping, or reversing the effects.
The Warning Signs of Early Psychosis
Knowing the warning signs can enable you or your loved one to get the right treatment sooner. These include:
- Hearing, seeing, tasting, or believing things that others don’t
- Suspiciousness or extreme uneasiness with others
- Persistent, unusual thoughts or beliefs
- Strong and inappropriate emotions or no emotions at all
- Withdrawing from family or friends
- A sudden decline in self-care
- Trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
The OnTrack Program
Services available to participants ages 16-30 through the program include:
- A primary therapist who assists participants in achieving goals by providing education, treatment recommendations, and coping strategies for psychosis
- A family education program that teaches families about psychosis and treatment, reducing family stress, and improving communication and understanding
- Individualized medication treatment aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing relapses
- Support Education/Employment Specialist (SEE) who assist participants in developing goals for employment or education, and then attaining them
- Case management services to assist with needs related to transportation, housing, disability, legal, insurance, or social services needs, or general continuity of care.
- Peer support that provides an aspect of lived experience to participants, providing them with additional hope and guidance around living and thriving with psychosis
For more information about OnTrackNY and First Episode Psychosis:
How to Get Help
If you or someone you love is experiencing signs of early or first episode psychosis, please contact our team for a referral.
You may call 716.898.3255 or please visit us at:
Adult & Family Clinic
462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215
Located in the Outpatient Behavioral Health Center
Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Request OnTrackNY Promotional Material
To receive a OnTrackNY counter display and informational brochures, please take a moment to fill out this request form.
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